In the late 19th century, Tess Durbeyfield is sent off to visit a rich cousin, Alec D'Urberville, when her parents learn learn that they are distantly related. Returning from a village party he forces himself on the innocent girl who eventually makes her way back to her parents' home,ashamed and pregnant. After the death of her child, she makes her way to a prosperous farm where, working as a milkmaid, she meets and marries Angel Clare. On learning of her past however, he abandons her.
Little Johnny is growing up to become 'That Johnny'. Miss Symes, teaching enough history that kids know where Latin came from, had been warned about 'That Johnny'. But for teachers, every moment is a teaching moment. Elspeth, the girl next door, who lives across the street, if you climb the fence at Mary's house, could write a note and tape it up and open it tomorrow and it will ALL BE THAT JOHNNY'S FAULT! What could go wrong? Possibly Chapter 3 of the Elspeth Chronicles.
A young orphan dreams of a different life than what the Goddess seems to have laid before him. Something more than that of a poor farmer toiling beside his extended family. The young boy daydreams of fabulous adventures in faraway lands even as he plods through his tedious existence, moving from family to family as each of his relatives shares the burden of his care. He revels in his grandfather's fantastic stories until one day he finds himself facing the very subject of one of those stories.